​Which cruising dinghy?

PictureBeating cutter by David Summerville


​Dinghy Cruising Association members range widely in very different boats.  Some seek quiet waters, others prefer more restless seas. Some  ​visit both.

Most of their craft meet the guidelines suggested in our   Safety Recommendations. A lot of them are clearly safe, stable vessels, perhaps traditional in appearance.

Others have been designed and built to meet specific cruising needs. Many more are well-known class dinghies with a racing pedigree: these are frequently, but not always, adapted for cruising and camping.
​Light, slim, fast dinghies and heavy, beamy, stable ones have their particular advantages and shortcomings – and also their own enthusiastic supporters. The debate about which kind is best will rage among cruising sailors for as long as there’s a sea to sail on. No single design or type has ever been accepted by a majority as the perfect cruising boat.

​However, there may be a boat that is perfect for you. You need to consider where you will sail her and what you want to do in her. Most of all you need to consider your own level of skill and your confidence in the boat, plus an awareness of her – and your – limits. This is far more important than chasing after the impossible dream of one ideal boat for all.

Before choosing a boat, do take every opportunity to sail in as wide range of boats as possible - the DCA rallies are an excellent place to try out different boats and discuss your ideas with others. Get hold of a copy of Eric Coleman's book - Dinghies for all Waters. It is full of sound advice. There are secondhand copies around or you can borrow it from the DCA Library. Our   forum  is also a source of information and advice. 
Here are some articles from past copies of Dinghy Cruising which may be helpful when thinking about what dinghy to get. ​
​​DCA Member   Cliff Martin   has written a booklet called   Setting up the cruising dinghy to share his experience and knowledge of dinghy cruising.   Topics covered include:
  • sail areas, rigs and reefing,
  • ballast and helm balance,
  • centreboards and daggerboards,
  • seats and sheets,
  • engines, oars and anchors,
  • trailers, launching and recovery.

Looking for inspiration? Watch Osbert's story...



​For more ideas here are a selection of links to boat designers and builders:
And here are links to a variety of Clubs and Class Associations: